Apparatus for forming tubular articles



March 8, 1960 E. L. HUGHES APPARATUS FOR FORMING TUBULAR ARTICLES Filed June 29, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 0 Am a m NHL Mmf Wm H March 8, 1960 E. L. HUGHES 2,927,624

APPARATUS FOR FORMING TUBULAR ARTICLES Filed. June 29, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 8, 1960 E. HUGHES 2,927,624

APPARATUS FOR FORMING TUBULAR ARTICLES Filed June'29, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I I 'l' IIIIAZIIIWIIIII W/ll March'8, 1960 v E. HUGHES 2,927,524

APPARATUS FOR FORMING TUBULAR ARTICLES Filed June 29, .1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 l o l 0 23a 23/ ,212

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APPARATUS FOR FORMING TUBULAR ARTECLES Edward L. Hughes, Pittsfield, Mass, assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application June 29, 1956, Serial No. 594,951

16 Claims. Cl. 154-13 This invention relates to means for forming tubes from sheets of flexible material, and more in particular-to an improved apparatus for forming electrically insulating tubes from sheet materials such as paper and the like.

In the fabrication of electrical apparatus, such as transformers, paper tubes are frequently employed on condoctors to serve as insulation. In the past it has been common practice to form these paper tubes on a mandrel, for example, by winding'the paper on a mandrel, sticking the ends down with a cement, and withdrawing the mandrel before curing the cement. It has been found, however, that tubes formed in this manner are relatively expensive, due to the time and labor required for forming each tube. As a further disadvantage, it has been found that the length of tubes that may be formed in this manner is definitely limited due to the difficulty of withdrawing the mandrel from the formed tube.

it is therefore an object of this invention toprovide' an apparatus for economically forming tubing from sheets of flexible material.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for forming long tubes of a flexible material such as paper and the like;

Another object of this invention is to provide means for forming tubing from sheets of flexible insulating material without the use of a central mandrel.

A further object of this invention isto provide an apparatus for forming tubes from flexible sheet material comprising the plurality of flexible belts crossing one another to impart a winding motion to the sheet of flexible material.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for forming tubing from flexible sheet material such as paper and the like comprising three groups of coaxial flexible belts, two of the groups of belts crossing the third group of belts in a perpendicular relationship, wherein the belts are arranged to provide a winding movement to the flexible material.

A still further object of this invention is to provide apparatus coacting with the tube winding apparatus of the previously stated objects for enabling the automatic forming of tubes from a continuous sheet of flexible material such as paper and the like. 1

Briefly stated, in accordance withone aspect of my invention, I provide an apparatus forwinding or forming tubes from sheets of flexible material such as paper or the like comprising a plurality of flexible'belts. The

belts are arranged into three groups of coaxially mounted I belts. The flat circumferential sides of the belts of two of the groups of belts are substantially parallel, at least one flat circumferential side of each of the parallel groups v Kw 2,927,624

'' P atented Ma r. s, 1960 material into desired length, applying a cement to the a tube, and for ejecting the finished tube. a

While the specification'concludes with claimspa-rticularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject which I regard as my invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from thefollowing description taken'in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 7 Y Fig. 1a.. is a perspective partially cross sectional view of a portion of one embodiment of my invention and illustrating the tube forming assembly,

Fig. lb is a perspective cross sectional view of another portion of said one embodiment of my invention and illustrating the sheet cutter, cement applying assembly, and gearing assembly. The drawing of Fig. 1b is an extension of the upper right hand corner of the drawing of Fig. 1a,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective partially cross sectional view of a portion of Fig. la, I

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the tube forming assemblies of Fig. 1a,

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the cement applying as- 7 sembly of Fig. 1b,

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the cement applyin Figs. 8 and 9 are pictorial representations of the timing gear of Fig. 7 shown at difierent times 'duringthe of belts crossing the flat circumferential side of the third I operation of the apparatus of my invention, v

Fig. 10 illustrates atypical circuit for accomplishing the timing sequences for the apparatus .of my invention, and

as may be formed on the apparatus of my invention, one end being turned back to illustrate the manner in which the cement is applied. 1 a

The tubev rolling assembly 7 Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly I a sheet of flexible on its upper surface. The means torapplying thesejspo-ts of adhesive will also be disclosed .in mo re detail in the following paragraphs. In Fig. la thesheetfiil is shown prior to its entryinto the tubeformingassembly, denoted generally by the numeral 24. In Fig. 2 the sheet is; shown after a portion of it has entered the tube forming assembly, and in Fig. 3 a completely formed tube 25 wound from the sheet 26 is shown as it is being ejected from the forming assembly 24.

The tube forming assembly is comprised of a plurality of flexible belts, such as rubber belts, extending between grooved rollers 26, 27, 2%, 29 and Sit. The belts are divided intothreegroups, with afirst group of belts 31,.

extending between rollers 26 and 27, a second group of belts 32 extending between rollers 27 and 28, and a third group of belts 33 extending between rollers 29 ,and30.

,In the tube forming position of the belts (Figs. la and 2) the flat circumferential sides of the first group 31 V and the third group 33 of belts are preferably substantially parallel and substantially perpendicular to thecir cumferential flat sides of the. second group 32 ofbelts. a

It will beobvious, howeven th'at the angular'relationship heretofore described between the sides of the-groups ofbelts is not critical and that moregroups of belts may Fig. 11 is a perspectiveviewof one endof a tube such 3 also be employed. The belts of the first and second groups of belts, 31 and 32 respectively, are alternately disposed on the roll 27. For the purpose of forming the tubes it is not necessary that the groups of belts 31 and 32 have a common roll, but as will be disclosed in more detail in the following paragraphs, this arrangement facilitates the ejection of the fully formed tubes. It is also preferred that the belts of the third group of belts 33 pass between adjacent belts of the second group of belts 32. In order to provide flexibility of the apparatus in the forming of different sizes of tubing, as Will be described in more detail in the following paragraphs, it is preferred that the rolls 29 and 30 of the third group of belts 33 be disposed on opposite sides of the second group of belts 32.

Still referring to Figs. la and 2, a plate is provided extending between the first and third groups of belts 31 and 33 respectively and parallel to the fiat circumferential sides of these groups of belts. The end of the plate 35 extending between the first and third groups of belts is provided with comb-like projections on one side thereof 36 extending between the belts of the first group of belts 31. The other side of the plate 35 is provided with a curved guide 38 extending to within a short distance of the third group of belts 33. Means such as a hydraulic cylinder 40 (Fig. la) are provided in order to enable the vertical movement of the plate 35 between the first and third groups of belts.

The rolls 26 and 27 are journaled in end plates and 46, and the ends of the roll 27 extend through the plates 45 and 46 and are also journaled in end plates 47 and 48, thereby providing means for a relative angular movement of the plates 45 and 46 and roll 26 about the axis of the roll 27.

The ends of the rolls 29 and 30 are journaled in the frame of the apparatus (not illustrated for the sake of clarity), and these rolls therefore have a fixed position.

Parallel arms 50, 51, 52 and 53 are provided extending between the end plates 47 and 48 and the frame of the apparatus, in order to permit the changing of the position of the rolls 26, 27, and 28, with respect to the rolls 29 and 30 without changing the angular relationship between the belts of the three groups of belts.

The position of the rolls 26, 27 and 28 with respect to the rolls 29 and 30 is controlled by means of a control knob 55 having a rotatable shaft 56 pinned to a worm gear 57, the teeth of the worm gear 57 engage a gear 58 which is pinned to a shaft 59. A pair of gears 60 and 61 rigidly fastened to the shaft 59 engage a pair of racks 62 and 63 respectively, the racks each having one end pivoted to the frames 47 and 48 respectively. Rollers 64 are provided to maintain engagement between the teeth of the racks and their respective gears.

The angular position of the plates 45 and 46 about the axis of the roll 27 is controlled by means of a hydraulic cylinder which is pivotally mounted on a rigid member 71 extending between the end plates 47 and 48. The piston 72 of the hydraulic cylinder 70 is connected to a bar 73 rigidly extending between the end plates 45 and 46.

One end of the roll 27 extends through the end plate 48 and is provided with a pulley 80. Similarly one end of roll 30 is provided with a pulley 81. A pair of belts 82 and 83 are provided extending between the pulleys 81 and respectively and pulleys 84 and 85 respectively fixed to the shaft 86 of a motor 87. The rolls 26, 28 and 29 are journaled for free rotation about their respective axes.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 1a and 2, each of the rolls 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 have a counterclockwise rotation, so that the fiat circumferential sides of the third group 33 of belts facing the first group 31 of belts has a downward motion, the flat circumferential sides of the first group of belts facing the third group of belts has an upward motion, and the uppermost flat circumferential side of the second group of belts 32 has a motion from the third group of belts toward the first group of belts.

In order to guide the sheet 20 into the belt arrangement a curved guide plate 88 is provided spaced from the roll 30, and the guide plate 88 has a plurality of spring rollers 89 to hold the material 20 against the third group of belts where they pass over the roll 30. Curved spring members 90, covered with a material 91 to which the adhesive will not stick, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, may also be provided attached to the guide plate 88 in order to hold the sheet 20 away from the guide plate 88 and thereby prevent the deposits of the adhesive from collecting on the guide plate. Additional guide rollers 92 may also be provided affixed to the guide plate 88 for holding the sheet 20 against the third group of rollers in the space between the first and third group of belts above the lower edge of the plate 35. Rigid backing bars 93 may also be provided behind the groups of belts in order to compensate for the flexibility of the belts, thereby insuring the formation of the desired diameter of tubing.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the first group 31 of belts is therein shown in position for ejection of a finished tube from the forming assembly. In this position, the piston rod 72 of hydraulic cylinder 70 (Fig. 1a) has effected the rotation of the plates 45 and 46 about the axis of roll 27, so that the axis of roll 26 lies substantially within the plane of the axes of the rolls 27 and 28. In this position it should be noted that the direction of movement of the upper sides of the first and second groups of belts is from right to left, thereby carrying the finished tube 25 away from the third group of belts.

In order to prevent damage to the forming assembly as a result of action of the hydraulic cylinder 70, the plates 45 and 46 maybe provided with bumpers 94 (Figs. 1a and 3) which engage the pistons of dashpots 95 (Fig. 1a) in the tube forming position of the assembly 24.

A plurality of wires 96 extending between rigid bars 97 and 98 serve to support the sheet 20 prior to the forming of the tube, and the wires 96 may be held taut by any convenient means such as weights 99 attached to one end thereof.

Adhesive applying assembly Referring now to Fig. 1b, a drive roll 100 and a pressure roll 101 for holding a sheet of flexible material 102 against the drive roll 100, are shown mounted for feeding the uncut sheet of material 102 through the adhesive applying assembly 103 and the sheet cutting assembly 104. The uncut sheet of material 102 may originate from a roll of such material mounted by any convenient means.

The adhesive applying assembly (Figs. 1b, 4 and 5) is comprised of header 105 extending transversely of the sheet 182. The lower side of the header 105 is provided with a plurality of spaced apart ports 106. Valve rods 107 within the header 105 have a reduced diameter portion 108 extending through the port 106 below the bottom of the header 105, the portion 108 having a diameter less than the diameter of the port 106. Adjacent the reduced diameter portion 108 of the valve rod 107 is a tapered portion 109 which engages a tapered valve seat at the upper end of the port 106. The tapered portion 189 is held against the valve seat by means of a valve spring 118 which extends between a shoulder on the valve rod 107 and a cup 111 in the lower end of a screw 112 extending through the upper wall of the header 105. A resiliently mounted button 113 is positioned below each of the valve rods in a plate 114 under the sheet of material 102.

The header 105 is connected by means of a pipe 116 to an adhesive reservoir 117 (see Fig. 1b). Pressure is maintained in the reservoir 117 by any convenient means, such as a gas pressure supply (not illustrated) connected by means of a pipe 118 to the upper portion of the reservoir 117,

The Header res is rigidly insulated" under a rigid member 120, the rigid member 120 being'" re'strained for vertical movement by guides 121 on either end thereof (only one of the guides 121 is illustrated in Fig. lb for the sake of clarity of the drawing). The header is preferably made from a material to which the adhesive does not adhere, such as polytetrafluoroethylene.

A pair of cams 122 and 123 mounted on a shaft 124 extending transversely of the sheet 102 are positioned above the plate and cam followers 125 and 126 rigidly afiixed to the plate 120 engage the cams 12-2 and 123 respectively. The cam followers 125 and 126 are held against their, respective cams by means of springs 127 which extend from suitable fixed supports to a plate 120 affixed to the upper side'of the member 120.

Cutting assembly I The cutting assembly 104 (Figs. 1b and 6) is comprised of a pneumatic motor 130 mounted for movement transversely of the sheet 102 on a shaft 131. The shaft of the motor 130 is connected to a circular rotating cutting knife 132. The motor 130 is preferably mounted below the sheet 102 with the cutting knife 132 extending upwardly through the plane of the sheet 102 and in a plane normal to the plane of the sheet and perpendicular to the longitudinal edges of the sheet 102. The cutting knife 132 is driven back and forth to effect the cutting of the sheet 102 from a position beyond one edge of the sheet 102 (as in Fig. lb) to a position beyond the other end of the sheet 102 (illustrated inFig. lb) by means of a pneumatic cylinder 133 having its shaft 134 pivotally connectedto a lever 135. The lever 135 has an expandable end extension 136 which is pivotally connectedto mounting means 137 for the motor 130.

it will be obvious, of course, that the motor 130 is not necessarily of the pneumatic type, and may be, for example, an electric motor.

Sheet clamping assembly The shaft 124 (Fig. lb) is connected on one end thereof to a gear 14-0, the gear 140 being in engagement with another gear 141 to drive a shaft 142. The shaft 142 is provided on each end with a cam 143, the cam 143 engaging cam followers14d mounted on plates 1'45 adapted for vertical movement. 7

The plates 145 have pins 146 projecting downwardly and engaging one end of the levers 147 centrally pivoted on fixed pivot points 148. A clamping plate 149 extending transversely above the sheet 102 is rigidly connected by means of suitable arms 150 between the ends of the levers 147 engaging the pins 146. A rigid backing plate 151 parallel to the plate 149 is provided beneath the sheet 102. The pressure ro-ll 101 is journaled for free rotation in bearings 152 located in the other ends of the levers 147.

Gear drive assembly in the gear drive assembly (Fig. lb), denoted generally by the numeral 160, a motor 161 is provided having its. shaft affixed to pinion gear 612. A main gear 163 is provided engaging the teeth of the pinion gear 162 for effecting the rotation of shaft 164. An intermittent drive gear 165 having one sector 166 removed is affixed to the shaft 16%. A pair of adjustable stop plates 16? and 168 are aflixed to one face of the gear 165 a short distance from opposite edges of the removed segment 166. A sector gear 169 is mounted for-free rotation on the shaft 164 adjacent the face of gear 165 having the stop plates 167 and 165. T he sector gear 169 has the same radius as the gear 165, and the teeth of the sector 169 match the teeth of the gear 165. The sector gear 169 is mounted to engage the stop plates 167 and168 in a manner to be dis closed more fully in the following. paragraphs. The teeth of the sector gear 169' extend adjacent the portion of the face of the gear 165 having the removed sector 166.

A cam track 17 5 is provided on the main drive gear 163 main gear 163 and intermittent drive gear 165 rotatein .6 the" follovvor pin 176 attached to" arrn I77r'ides in the cam track 175. The arm 177 is affix'ed t'o' one end of a shaft 178 and the'other end of the shaft 178 is ahixed to a spring biased arm 179 having a detent 180. The detent 180 is mounted for engagement with a" notch 181 (see Figs. 7, 8 and 9) on an extension 182 of the gear sector 169.

A gear 190, engaging the teeth of the main drive gear 163, also engages the teeth of a gear 191 to eife'ct the rotation of a shaft 192. A clutchplate 193 mounted for rotation with shaft 192 is resiliently held against another clutch,

plate 194 on a free running shaft 195 by means of a spring 196. A chain drive 197 extends between a sprocket 193 affixed to free running shaft 195 and sprocket 199 amxed to a free running shaft 200 surrounding shaft 164. The shaft 200 is affixed to the gear sector 169.

Referring now to Figs. 7, 8 and 9, it may be seen that the teeth of the sector gear 169 are in alignment with the teeth of the intermittent drive gear 165 when the sides of the sector gear 169 engage either of the stop plates 167 or 168.

Referring again to Fig. lb, the teeth of the intermittent drive gear 165 are connected by way of a gear train comprised of gears 205, 206, 207, 208 and 209 to effect the rotation of shaft 124, the gear 209 being afiixedto the gear 124. The gear206 and the gear 207 are affixed to the same shaft. The teeth of the gear 206 also engage the teeth of the gear 210 which is connected to a shaft 211 to efiect the rotation of drive roll 100.

Cam timing assembly Still eaning to Fig. 1b, an extnsion220 or the shaft 164 is affixed to gear 221, the gear 221 being mounted so that its teeth engage the teeth of a gear 222 to effect the rotation of theshaft223 upon which are mounted cams 224, 225, 226, 227, 228 and 229. 7

Referring now to Fig. 10, it is therein illustrated that the cams 224, 225, 226, 227, 228 and 229 cooperate with their respective cam followers to operate switches 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, and 235, respectively thereby energizing solenoid valves 236, 237, 238,239, 240 and 241 respectively. Solenoid valves 236 and 237 control the operation of hydraulic cylinder 70 for effecting the angular movement of frames45 and 46 about the axis of roll 27. Solenoid valves .238 and 239 control the hydraulic cylinder '40 for effecting the vertical movement of the plate 35, and solenoid valves 240 and 241 control hydraulic cylinder 133' to movethe hydraulic motor 130 transversely of the sheet 102. v The. cams 225 and 227 are identical, and the cams 224 and 226 are identical, the cams 225 and 227 eachhaving two opposed land areas corresponding to the valley areas of cams 224 and 226, and two opposed valley areas corresponding to the land areas of cams 224 and 226. The solenoid valves are arranged so that when the first group of belts 31 are of the sheet 102 shortly after each time the first groupof valves 31 has returned'to tube forming position and the plate 35 has returned to its lowermost position.

The directions of angular motion of the various gears and shafts are illustrated by the arrows of Fig. 'lb. Thus,

a clockwise direction, and sector gear 169 is provided with an angular movement tending to hold it against the stop plate 167, by means of sprockets 198 and 199 which have a clockwise motion. The gear train comprised of gears 205, 206, 207,208 and 209 provide a clockwise motion for the cams 122 and 123, and gear 210 provides a counterclockwise rotation for the driving "roll 100,

Referringnow -to Fig. 11, therein is-illustrated a typical tube such as may be formed on the apparatus disclosed in the preceding paragraphs. One corner of the trailing edge of the sheet of which the tube is formed is shown folded back to illustrate the spots 23 of adhesive material.

Operation By means that will be disclosed in more detail in the following paragraphs, an intermittent rotary motion is applied to the shafts 124 and 211 (see Fig. 1b). Rotation of the shaft 211, which is connected to the drive roll 100, effects the feeding of the uncut sheet 102 of flexible material such as paper or the like, through the adhesive applying assembly 103. Rotation of the shaft 124 efiects the rotation of shaft 142 by means of gears 140 and 141, thereby causing the rotation of cams 143. When the land areas of cams 143 contact the cam followers 144, the plate '145 is forced downwardly, thereby forcing lever 147 in a counterclockwise direction by means of the pin 146. The counterclockwise motion of the lever 147 results in the lifting of the pressure roller 101 from contacting engagement with the sheet 102, and also the clamping of the ends of the sheet 102 between the clamping plate 149 and the clamping plate 150. This clamping prevents the sheet 102 from being driven further than desired due to the action of the driving roller 100 and also from being pulled backwardly due to backlash or tension when the-sheet 102 originates from a roll of such material. Therefore, it is obvious that the length of the sheet 102 which is to be cut oif is determined by the length of the land area on the cams 143, with increases in land area of these cams corresponding to decrease in length of the sheets cut oil.

Subsequent to the clamping of the sheet 102, by the rotation of shaft 124 and its cams 122 and 123, the projections of the cams 122 and 123 engage their respective cam followers 125 and 126 to force the plates 120 downwardly against the action of the springs 126. The plate 120 is guided in its vertical motion by means of the guides 121. Referring now to Fig. 5, the downward motion of plate 120 results in the moving of the header 105 toward the sheet 102. When the header 105 is forced downwardly for a sufiicient distance that the reduced portions 108 of the valve rods 107 are in contacting relationship with the sheet 102 (backed up by the buttons 113), the tapered portion of the rods 107 are lifted from their valve seats and a small amount of adhesive is forced through the ports 106, due to the pressure exerted upon the adhesive in the adhesive reservoir 117. The amount of adhesive emitted from the ports 106 is determined by the diameter of the port and the diameter of the reduced portions 108 of the rods 107. Upon further downward movement of the header 105 the lower edge of the header is forced against the sheet 102, thereby spreading out the adhesive that has been forced through the port 106, and also'preventing the further escape of adhesive from the header 105.

While the header 105 is still held against the sheet 102, the hydraulic cylinder 133 is actuated by means of one of the cams 228 or 229 and their respective switches 234 and 235 and solenoid valves 240 and 241 to draw the pneumatic motor 130 transversely across the sheet 102 by means of the lever 135, thereby causing the sheet to be cut by the circular knife 132.

After the sheet 102 has been cut, further rotation of the shaft 124 advances the projections of cams 122 and 123 beyond their respective cam followers, and the header 105 is rapidly pulled to its uppermost position by means of the springs 127. At this time the leading edge of the cut sheet 20 (Figs. 1a, 2 and 3) extend between the spring rollers 89 and the third group 33 of belts passing over the roll 30. Previously, further forward movement of the sheet has been prevented either by the action of the clamping plate 149 or by the clamping action of the header 105 and resilient buttons 113. Now, however,

since the uncut sheet 102 has been cut to a sheet 20 of the desired length, and since the clamping action of the header 105 has been released, the sheet 20 is free to enter the tube forming assembly 24 of Figs. la, 2 and 3.

Reflecting back for a moment, it has been previously stated that the length of the sheet which is cut off is determined by the shape of the cams 143. In view of the necessity that the sheet be provided with further movement following the cutting operation, it is preferred that any variation of the shape of the cams 143 be accompanied with a change in the distance between the tube forming assembly 24 and the cutting and gluing assemblies so that the leading edge of the sheet 20 is in position to be pulled into the tube forming assembly. A convenient method for accomplishing this has been found to be in the mounting of the assemblage of Fig. lb for movement on a track (not illustrated for the sake of clarity), and utilizing wires 96 as an extendable support for the sheet. The wires 96 are free to move in the holes in the plate 98 below the sheet 102 so that the weights 99 on the ends of the wires 96 can take up any slack in the wires 96. The wires 96 are firmly held in holes in plate 97 of the tube forming assembly.

In the tube forming operation, the leading edge of the sheet 20 is fed downwardly by the action of the third group of belts 33, then horizontally by the motion transmitted thereto by the second group of belts 32, and thence upwardly by the motion transmitted thereto by the first group of belts 31. Upon further movement of the sheet '20, the leading edge thereof is directed by means of the comb-shaped projections 36 and curved plate 38 into contacting relationship with a following portion of the sheet 20, the stiffness of the sheet 20 serving to maintain a circular cross section. Upon further movement of the sheet 20, the remaining portions of the sheet are wound over the initially formed tube, and the adhesive spots 23 (see Fig. 2) firmly adhere to the portion of the tube which they contact.

After the tube has been fully formed, as illustrated in Fig. 1a, the plate 35 is moved vertically upward by operation of the hydraulic cylinder 40 so that the projections 36 and curved guide 38 are moved out of contacting relationship with the tube. Simultaneously, or shortly thereafter, operation of the hydraulic cylinder 70 etfects the rotation of end plates 45 and 46, thereby angularly displacing the roller 26 through an arc of about to the position illustrated in Fig. 3. At this time, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the tube 25 is carried by the belts 32 and 31 away from the tube rolling assembly. A suitable rack or basket may be provided to catch the tube 25 after it passes beyond the roller 26. Then the plate 35 is returned to its former position and the end plates 45 and 46 are rotated to the position illustrated in Figs. 1a and 2, and the tube rolling assembly 24 is in position to commence the forming of another tube.

The adhesive applying and sheet cutting operations may be occurring on one sheet of material simultaneously with the rolling of another sheet of material in order to increase the number of tubes produced by the machine in a given time. Then, as soon as the plate 40 has returned to its lowermost position and the plates 45 and 46 have rotated to their tube rolling position, release of the next sheet of material by the adhesive applying assembly permits the rolling of another tube to start with a minimum of delay.

The intermittent rotation of shafts 124 and 211, as provided by the gear assembly 160, has been employed in order to provide suflicient time for completion of the adhesive applying operation. The shafts 124 and 211 cease rotating for a short period of time immediately following the depression of the adhesive applying header 105. The intermittent operation of the shafts 124 and 211 also prevents the movement of the sheet 102 during the cutting operation in the event that the sheet 102 has not been clamped sutficiently.

' contacting relationship with the stop 167.

The intermittent rotation of these shafts 'i's'provid ed as follows:

Rotation of the pinion gear 162 is normally transmitted by way of main drive gear 163, shaft 164, and gear 165 to gear 205', and thence through gears 206, 207, 208 and 209 to shaft 124, and from gear 206 and 210 to shaft 211. of gear 2% approach the removed segment portion 166 of gear 165, the teeth of the gear 205 mesh with the teeth of the sector gear 169, the sector gear 169 being held against the stop 16"? on gear 165 by the friction clutch assembly so that the teeth of the sector gear 169 and the teeth of the gear 165 are in line. I v

The rotation of gear 163 is transmitted to shaft 192 by way of gears 19% and 191, and the rotation of shaft 192 is transmitted through friction clutch plates 193 and 194 to shaft 195, and thence by way of sprocket 19?, chain 1%, sprocket 19%, and shaft 200 to the sector gear 69. H

When, upon further rotation of gear 165, the teeth of gear 205 leave the teeth of gear 165, the gear 205 is locked from further rotation, as illustrated in Pig. 7 by the detent 180 entering the notch 181 of the extension 122 of the sector gear 169. The movement of the detent 180 has been effected by rotation of the shaft 168 as a result of movement of the cam follower 176 in the cam track 175 of main drive gear 163. During thetime that rotation of the sector gear 169 is restrained by the detent 18th the friction clutch is permitted to slip.

The sector gear 169 holds the teeth of the gear 205 in position so that, upon further rotation of the gear 165 to the trailing edge of the removed segment portion 166, the teeth of the gear 2555 mesh accurately with the teeth of the gear 165. The stop 168 on the gear 165 enables the accurate meshing of the teeth of the gears 2495 and 165. Simultaneously with the contacting once again of the teeth of gears Zoe and 165, the detent 1% is removed from the notch 181 in the sector gear 169, thereby releasing the gear 205 for rotation with gear 165. Afterthe teeth of the gear 21% have ceased contacting the teeth of sector gear $.69 due to rotation of the gear 165, the sector gear 169 is driven by friction clutch assembly into Therefore, the sector gear 169 serves to firmly lock the gear 2655, and therefore the shafts E24 and 211 from rotation, and also serves to enable the accurate remeshing of the teeth of the gears 2% and 165 at the trailing edge of the removed segment portion 166.

It will be understood, of course, that, whilethe form of the invention herein shown and described constitutes the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is not intended herein to illustrate all of the possible equivalent forms or ramifications thereof. It will also be under stood that the words us'ed are words of description rather than of limitation, and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention herein disclosed, and it is aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An apparatus for forming tubular articles from sheets of a flexible material comprising a plurality of parallel groups of parallel rollers, a plurality of groups of flexible belts extending between the rollers of the respective groups of rollers, said belts being positioned with their flat sides forming the sides of a tube forming region with each group of belts forming a separate side of said region, and means for feeding a sheet of flexible material into said region.

2. An apparatus for forming tubular articles from sheets of a flexible material comprising a plurality of parallel groups of parallel rollers, a plurality of groups of flexible belts extending between the rollersof the respective groups of rollers, said belts beirig'positioried with When, during the rotation of gear 165, the teeth 10 their flat sides forming the side'sofa tubeformingregioh with belts of said groups being alternately 'disposed in said region, each group of belts forming a separate side of said region, and means for feeding a sheet of flexible material into said region. 3 I

3. An apparatus for forming tubular articles from sheets of flexible material comprising a plurality of parallel pairs of parallel rollers, a plurality of groups of flexible belts extending between the rollers of the respective pairs of rollers, said belts being positioned with their flat sides forming the side of a tube forming region with belts of said groups being alternately disposed in said region, each group of belts forming a separate side of said region, means for feeding a sheet of flexible material into said region, and means for rotating said rollers, said belts being arrangedto impart a generally circular motion to said sheet insaid region.

4. An apparatus for forming tubular wines from 7 sheets of flexible material comprising a plurality of parallel pairs of parallel rollers, a plurality of groups of flexible belts extending between the rollers of tbe'respective pairs of rollers, said belts being positioned with their fiat sides forming the sides of a tube forming region with belts of said groups being alternately disposed in said region, each group of belts forming a separate side of said region, means for feeding a sheet of flexible material into said region, means for rotating said rollers, said belts being an ranged to impart a generally circular motion to said sheet in said region to roll said sheet into a tubular shape, and means for ejecting said rolled sheet from. said region,

5. An apparatus for forming tubular articles from sheets of flexible material comprising aplurality of paral lel rollers, aplurality of groups of flexible belts extending between said rollers, said belts being arranged so that a flat circumferential side of each of said groupof belts defines a side of a tube forming region with belts of said groups being alternately disposed in said region, means for feeding a sheet of flexible material into saiclregion, meansfor rotating said rollers, said belts being arranged to impart a generally circular motion to said sheet-in said region to roll said sheet into a tubular shape, and means.

for eg'ecting said rolled sheet from said region.

6. An apparatus for forming tubular articles from sheets of flexible material comprising a plurality of para-1r.

lel rollers, three groups of flexible belts extending between said rollers, each of said groups having a plurality of coaxial flexible belts, said belts being arranged so that a flat circumferential side of each of said group of belts defines a side of a tube-forming region with belts of said groups being alternately disposed in said'region, means for feeding a sheet of flexiblematerial into said region, means for rotating sa1d rollers, said belts being arranged to impart a'generally c rcular motion to said sheet in said region to roll said sheet into a tubular shape, and means for e ectmg said rolled sheet from said region.

7. An apparatus for forming tubular articles from sheets of flexible material comprising a plurality of parallel rollers, first, second, and third groups of flexible belts extending between said rollers, each of said groups having a plurality of coaxial flexible belts, at least one flat circumferential side of said first group being substantially parallel to at least one fiat circumferential side ofsaid second group, and substantially normal to at least one flat circumferential side of said third group, curved guide means, said curved guide m-eans and said at least one nat circumferentialsidesof said groups of belts defining a tube rolling region with belts of said groups being -alternately disposed in said region, means for feeding a sheet of flexible material into said region, means for rotating said rollers, said beltsbeing arranged'to impart a generally circular motion to said sheet in said region to roll said sheet into a tubular shape, and means for ejecting said rolled sheet from said region.

' 8. An apparatus for forming tubular articles from sheets of flexible material comprising a pluralityof paral;

lel rollers, first, second and third groups of flexible belts extending between said rollers, each of said groups having a plurality of coaxial flexible belts, at least one flat circumferential side of said first group being substantially parallel to at least one flat circumferential side of said second group, and substantially normal to at least one flat circumferential side of said third group, curved guide means, said curved guide means and said flat circumferential sides of said groups of belts defining a tube rolling :region with belts of said groups being alternately disposed in said region, the flat circumferential sides of said belts of said second group passing alternately through the belts of said first and third groups, means for feeding a sheet of flexible material into said region, means for rotating said rollers, said belts being arranged to impart a generally circular motion to said sheet in said re :gion to roll said sheet into a tubular shape, and means for ejecting said rolled sheet from said region.

9. An apparatus for forming tubular articles from sheets of flexible material comprising a plurality of parallel rollers, first, second and third groups of flexible belts extending between said rollers, each of said groups having a plurality of coaxial flexible belts, at least one flat circumferential side of said first group being substantially parallel to at least one flat circumferential side of said second group, and substantially normal to at least one flat circumferential side of said third group, curved guide means, said curved guide means and said flat circumferential sides of said groups of belts defining a tube rolling region, said belts of said first and second groups of belts having a common roll with belts of said first and second groups being disposed alternately on said common roll, belts of said third group being arranged to pass alternately through the belts of said second group, means for feeding a sheet of flexible material into said region, means for rotating said rollers, said belts being arranged to impart a generally circular motion to said sheets in said region to roll said sheet into a tubular shape, and means for ejecting said rolled sheet from said region comprising means for rotating said first group of belts about the axis of said common roll.

10. An apparatus for forming tubular articles from sheets of flexible material comprising a plurality of parallel rollers, first, second and third groups of flexible belts extending between said rollers, each of said groups having a plurality of coaxial flexible belts, at least one flat circumferential side of said first group being substantially parallel to at least one flat circumferential side of said second group, and substantially normal to at least one flat circumferential side of said third group, curved guide means, said curved guide means and said flat circumferential sides of said groups of belts defining a tube rolling region, the belts of said first and second groups having a common roller with the belts of said first and second groups being alternately disposed on said roller, the flat circumferential side of said third group of belts passing alternately through the flat circumferential side of said second group of belts, means for feeding a sheet of flexible material into said region, means for rotating said rollers, said belts being arranged to impart a generally circular motion to said sheet in said region to roll said sheet into a tubular shape, and means for ejecting said rolled sheet from said region comprising means for rotating said first group of belts about the axis of said common roll, and means for varying the position of said first and second groups with respect to said third group for varying the dimensions of said regions.

11. An apparatus for forming tubular articles from sheets of flexible material comprising a plurality of parallel rollers, a plurality of groups of flexible belts extending between said rollers, said belts being positioned with their flat sides forming the sides of a tube forming region with belts of said groups being alternately disposed in said region, means forfeeding a sheet of flexible material into said region, means for applying an adhesive material to one side of the end of said sheet that last enters said region, and means for rotating said rollers, said belts being arranged to impart a generally circular motion to said sheet in said region to roll said sheet into a tubular shape, and means for ejecting said rolled sheet from said region.

12. An apparatus for forming tubular articles from sheets of flexible material comprising a plurality of parallel rollers, a plurality of groups of flexible belts extending between said rollers, said belts being positioned with their flat sides forming the sides of a tube forming region with belts of said groups being alternately disposed in said region, means for feeding a sheet of flexible material into said region, means for applying a plurality of spots of adhesive to one side of the end of said sheet that last enters said region, means for rotating said rollers, said belts being arranged to impart a generally circular motion to said sheet in said region to roll said sheet into a tubular shape, and means for ejecting said rolled sheet from said region.

13. An apparatus for forming tubular articles from sheets of flexible material comprising a plurality of parallel rollers, a plurality of groups of flexible belts extending between said rollers, said belts being positioned with their flat sides forming the sides of a tube forming region with belts of said groups being alternately disposed in said region, means for feeding a sheet of flexible material into said region, means for rotating said rollers, means for applying a plurality of spots of adhesive to one side of the end of said sheet that last enters said region, said belts being arranged to impart a generally circular motion to said sheet in said region to roll said sheet into a tubular shape, and means for ejecting said rolled sheet from said region, said adhesive applying means comprising adhesive reservoir means spaced from said sheet, a plurality of port means in said reservoir means, valve means in said port means, and means for moving said reservoir means into and out of contacting relationship with said sheet, said valve means having extended portions arranged to be operated by contact with said sheet before said reservoir means contacts said sheet so that a predetermined quality of said adhesive is released from said reservoir means.

14. An apparatus for forming tubular articles from sheets of flexible material comprising a plurality of parallel rollers, a plurality of groups of flexible belts extending between said rollers, said belts being positioned with their flat sides forming the sides of a tube forming region with belts of said groups being alternately disposed in said region, means for feeding a sheet of flexible material into said region, means for applying a plurality of spots of adhesive to one side of the end of said sheet that last entered said region, means for rotating said rollers, said belts being arranged to impart a generally circular motion to said sheet in said region to roll said sheet in tubular shape, means for ejecting said rolled sheet fromsaid region, and means for intermittently actuating said adhesive applying means comprising a first shaft, cam means on said first shaft engaging said adhesive applying means to provide movement of said adhesive applying means into and out of engagement with said sheet, first gear means on said shaft, second gear means adapted for continuous rotation and engaging the teeth of said first gear means, said second gear means having a removed sector portion, sector gear means mounted for free rotation on the axis of said second gear means and having an are less than the arc of said removed sector portion, the teeth of said sector gear means matching the teeth of said second gear means, means for limiting the angular displacement of said second gear means with respect to said sector gear means, means for stopping said sector gear means when said removed sector portion is adjacent said first gear means, and means for angularly biasing said sector gear means for rotation in the same direction as said second gear means.

15. An apparatus for forming tubular articles from sheets of flexible material comprising a plurality of parallel pairs of parallel rollers, groups of coaxial belts extending between the rollers of the respective pairs of rollers with flat circumferential sides of the groups of belts being arranged in planes angularly displaced relative to each other and for relative directions of rotation so as to provide upon rotation thereof a tube forming region wherein successive contact areas of the respective belt groups describe a continuously whirling circular course, and means for feeding a sheet of flexible material into said region.

16. Means for providing-an intermittent rotary motion to a first shaft comprising first gear means on said shaft, second gear means adapted for continuous rotation and engaging the teeth of said first gear means, said second gear means having a removed sector portion, sector gear means mounted for free rotation on the axis of said second gear means and having an are less than the arc of said removed sector portion, the teeth of said sector gear means matching the teeth of said second gear means and arranged to engage the teeth of said first gear means, stop means on said second gear means, said stop means being positioned to limit the angular displacement of said sector gear means with respect to said second gear means to a region slightly larger than said removed sector portion, a portion of the teeth of said sector gear being aligned with a portion of the teeth of said second gear when said sector gear engages said stop means, means for stopping said sector gear means when said removed sector portion is adjacent said first gear means, and means for angularly biasing said sector gear means against said stop means comprising friction clutch means coupled to said second gear means, said friction clutch means imparting an angular velocity to said sector gear means that is greater than the angular velocity of said second gear means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,018,114 Kern Feb. 20, 1912 1,025,763 Pindtershofen May 7, 1912 1,081,933 Waring Dec.*16, .1913 1,606,557 Carpenter Nov. 9, 1926 1,833,644 Hae'gele Nov. 24, 1931 1,921,516 Frederick Aug. 8, 1933 g 1,941,993 Minton Jan. 2, 1934 2,209,858 Steiert. July 30, 1940v 2,237,327 Bell Apr. 8, 1941 2,449,852 Jones Sept. 21, 1948 2,728,238 Paasche Dec. 27, 1955 2,753,836 Forslund July 10, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 237,441 Great Britain July 30, 1925 

